Care for people with compassion as a registered nurse and midwife.
This is your opportunity to earn two qualifications in nursing and midwifery in only four years. Our accredited nursing and midwifery program is delivered by teaching staff who are qualified in the areas of nursing and/or midwifery, education and research.
This is your opportunity to earn two qualifications in nursing and midwifery in only four years. Our accredited nursing and midwifery program is delivered by teaching staff who are qualified in the areas of nursing and/or midwifery, education and research.
You’ll learn both clinical nursing and midwifery skills in a simulated environment that is as close as possible to the real situation before you go into a health care facility or community setting.
You’ll gain extensive clinical experience with seven of the eight semesters in a variety of clinical placements. Complete a total of 800 hours of clinical practicum for nursing. You’ll engage with 10 women throughout pregnancy, at antenatal visits, labour and birth as well as postnatal visits.
In addition, you’ll complete all the national midwifery requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Graduates are prepared to meet the NMBA Competency Standards for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives.
At the end of your degree, consider postgraduate study to pursue a career as a clinical nurse/clinical midwife, nurse or midwifery researcher, nurse practitioner or privately practicing midwife or private practice midwife.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placement, students must obtain and maintain a current first aid and CPR certificate, provide evidence of hepatitis B immunisation, undergo a criminal history check and obtain a Blue Card. Refer to Program requirements and notes.
Career opportunities
Registered midwife / nurse in hospital or community settings, metropolitan, rural and remote locations or in private practice.
Membership
Australian College of Midwives; Australian College of Nursing.
Registration
Students in nursing and midwifery programs are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as students under the national law. USC arranges registration. Refer to the (AHPRA) website for detailed information.
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as midwives and nurses in Australia with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which is a Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards that graduates must demonstrate in order to be eligible for registration. For example, graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7, with 7 in all subtests, or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. For full details of the AHPRA Registration Standards, visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.
Program structure
Introductory courses (13) (150 units)
COR109 Communication and Thought
HLT100 Cell Biology
HLT121 Anatomy and Physiology
HLT122 Midwifery Foundations
HLT123 Developing Midwifery
HLT131 Midwifery Practice 1
HLT132 Practice Principles for Midwifery and Nursing
LFS103 Comprehensive Assessment in Midwifery
NUR104 Introductory Bioscience
NUR116 Contexts of Practice: The Older Person and Family
NUR117 Preparation for Practice 1(6 units)
NUR121 Nursing Practice 1
NUR131 Health, Culture and Society
Advanced courses (19) (234 units)
HLT201 Research Foundations for Health Practice
HLT202 Therapeutics in Midwifery
HLT203 Midwifery Practice 2
HLT301 Advancing Midwifery
HLT310 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
HLT311 Leadership and governance in maternity care
HLT312 Midwifery Practice 3(24 units)
NUR212 Midwifery Internship
NUR222 Contexts of practice: child, youth and family
NUR226 Health Law and Ethics
NUR227 Preparation for Practice 2(6 units)
NUR231 Nursing Practice 2
NUR241 Drug Therapy
NUR286 Health Alteration(6 units)
NUR287 Preparation for Practice 3(6 units)
NUR300 Nursing Practice 3(24 units)
NUR311 Nursing Internship
NUR331 Preparation and Nursing Practice 4
NUR332 Contexts of Practice: Complex Care
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Attend courses offered in Sessions (where applicable)
In order to commence clinical placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
- have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority)
- show evidence of complete Hepatitis B vaccination (3 inoculations over a period of six months)
- hold a current First Aid and CPR certificate from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council
Note: You are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card Application Form can take up to 10 weeks. Visit Nursing and Midwifery - Clinical Placement for more information about these requirements before you apply.
Students are expected to:
- travel to attend supernumerary clinical placements and attend the full range of clinical shifts in placement areas
- make time commitment to completing the required clinical requirements including midwifery continuity of care experiences; students are required to complete 10 continuity of care experiences with women and their families, which will mean engagement in the program across the full calendar year and periods of on-call
- incur costs relating to clinical placement such as travel, parking and uniform
- have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and undertaking some courses in Session 4 (Winter) or Session 8 (Summer)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, for example, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- Teaching sessions include Semester 1, Semester 2, Session 4 and Session 8